# Black Sea maritime security risks

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/black-sea-maritime-security-risks
> Updated: 2026-09-18T12:06:21.000Z. Sources: 5. Developments: 2.

Maritime risk in the Black Sea has escalated significantly due to the ongoing Ukraine-Russia conflict. In late August, risk analysis firm EOS issued a level 5 out of 5 danger warning for commercial vessels near Novorossiysk and the Odessa region. This period was marked by live-fire naval exercises in Novorossiysk involving defense against drones and unmanned surface vessels, as well as congestion on the Danube.

By mid-September, the London marine insurance market expanded its high-risk area designation to encompass the entire Black Sea. This decision by the Joint War Committee followed two months of increased attacks on commercial shipping. The expanded designation has resulted in a surge of war risk premiums, adding hundreds of thousands of dollars in costs to seven-day voyages through this critical corridor for grain and oil.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-18: Black Sea high-risk zone expanded by marine insurers

London's marine insurance market has expanded its high-risk zone to the entire Black Sea due to escalating attacks on commercial shipping in the ongoing Ukraine-Russia conflict.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/black-sea-high-risk-zone-expanded-by-marine-insurers

### 2026-08-29: Black Sea maritime risk reaches maximum level near Novorossiysk and Odessa

EOS has issued a maximum risk warning for commercial shipping near Novorossiysk and Odessa due to naval exercises and security concerns in the Black Sea.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/black-sea-maritime-risk-reaches-maximum-level-near-novorossiysk-and-odessa

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Cite as: Black Sea maritime security risks. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/black-sea-maritime-security-risks